The planned two-year shutdown of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, announced by President Donald Trump for July 4, has triggered growing concern among the institution’s workforce, as unions representing arts workers warn that no formal notice or guarantees have yet been provided regarding jobs, pay, or working conditions.
In a joint statement issued on 2 February, Kennedy Center Arts Workers United — a coalition including Actors’ Equity Association, American Federation of Musicians, American Guild of Musical Artists, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society — said that it had not received any official briefing about the proposed closure.
The unions said their understanding of the plan currently relies on public statements by the president and limited internal messages to some staff members. They warned that a pause in operations without clear protections would be harmful to the artists and technicians whose labour sustains the centre’s activity. Should a shutdown displace workers, the coalition said it would seek to enforce existing contracts and all legal rights, including continued fair pay and enforceable worker protections.
A closure announced amid ongoing turmoil
The shutdown announcement comes after months of upheaval at the Kennedy Center following Trump’s return to office and his decision to reshape the institution’s leadership. The board of trustees was overhauled, Trump was named chairman, and senior administrators were replaced. The president has repeatedly criticised the centre’s programming and described the building as being in poor physical condition.
Since those changes, ticket sales have declined and a growing number of high-profile artists and organisations have withdrawn. The Washington National Opera has announced plans to leave the venue after more than four decades, while several prominent composers and performers have cancelled scheduled appearances. Although the National Symphony Orchestra has said it intends to continue performing, where it would play during a shutdown remains unclear.
Trump has framed the closure as a necessary step to accelerate what he describes as a comprehensive transformation of the complex into a “new and spectacular” entertainment venue. While funding for capital repairs has been cited, detailed plans for the renovation and its impact on staff and resident ensembles have yet to be publicly outlined.
Workers seek clarity as questions multiply
For unions and employees, the abrupt nature of the announcement has intensified uncertainty. Hundreds of workers — including musicians, stagehands, box office staff, and technical crews — could be affected if performances cease for two years. Questions also remain about existing contracts, touring productions scheduled beyond July, subscriber commitments, and whether flagship events such as the Kennedy Center Honors will continue in any form.
Union representatives stressed that their members remain committed to presenting live performances in the nation’s capital, but called for transparency and formal engagement before any shutdown is implemented.
As lawmakers examine whether congressional approval is required for such a closure, and as arts organisations search for alternative venues, the Kennedy Center’s future remains uncertain. What is increasingly clear, however, is that the proposed shutdown has become another flashpoint in the wider struggle over the institution’s direction — and over the livelihoods of those who work behind the scenes to keep it running.
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